Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will investigate an application by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow who applied for a higher education grant and was refused same on the grounds of parent's income; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person aged 29 years is a single parent with a dependant aged four years returning to college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45126/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority either the local authority or VEC as appropriate. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional circumstances.

If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of maintenance grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department.